Photos by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2018
From AmigosNAZ staff reports
FLAGSTAFF — From the first evening lighting of the ofrendas / altars on the members opening night to touching remembrances of recently departed members of the Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and Museum of Northern Arizona family, the 15th annual Celebraciones de la Gente provided a range of emotion from sadness and hope during the celebration held Oct. 19 through 21 at the museum.
Nearly a couple dozen ofrendas glowed with hundreds of candles on both the opening night and the celebrations’ third annual Courtyard After Dark program on Oct. 20
The opening night event also include a welcome by Carrie M. Heinonen, CEO & The Robert Breunig Director of the Museum of Northern Arizona, and acting Nuestras Raíces President Delia Munuz, who took over following the passing of then president Christina Anaya earlier this year.
Anaya was remembered with her photo on her family’s ofrenda, along with long-time member and World War II veteran Tomas Vega who also passed away earlier this year, whose photo graced his family’s ofrenda.
The museum honored two of its own with the photos of John Haviland and Norman Mayes placed on the museum’s ofrenda. All, along with long-time Los Compadres band member Trini Logan, were also honored during Nuestras’ annual ofrenda workshop.
Celebraciones also included performances by event favorites Mariachi Sol Azteca from Tucson, Flagstaff Ballet Folklorico de Colores, Fiesta Mexicana, Los Diamantes, Los Matachines and Jesus Higuera.
Heritage Insights Lectures featured such presentations as “Memento mori: Mourning Rituals and Visual Symbols of Child Loss” with Dr. Dolores Bahti, “Quinceanera’s: Coming of Age in the 21st Century” with Victoria Samudio-Rodriguez, “Chicano Photography in the Now: Border Crossers, Time Travel, Cosmic Imagery” with Dr. Dolores Bahti , “Day of the Dead Decoded: Ofrendas 101” with Becca Ceballos Delap and Juan Carlos Ortiz, “Caleveras or Costumes,” featuring panelists Frank X. Moraga, Delia Munoz and Gina Santi.
Artists this year included:
- Gina Santi (Photography)
- Terri Rodriguez (Jewelry)
- Irene Dominguez (Mixed Media)
- Rick Pacheco (Paintings)
- Umbrella Project (Nonprofit)
- Casa of Coconino County (Nonprofit)
As has become a yearly tradition, Nuestras member Juan Carlo Ortiz led those in attendance in the offering the blessing of the copal smoke as he walked about Jaime Major Golightly Historic Courtyard followed by Mariachi Sol Azteca from Tucson and Los Matachines.
Following the blessing of the altars in the courtyard, Ortiz led procession to the community altar at the north entrance before taking the group outside for the annual group photo in front of the museum. Click below for larger image.
